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25 Nov 2022 | Eric Hannaford
Aged Care Australia: What You Should Know
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As people age, they might need more support to continue their everyday routines and engage in activities they love and enjoy. Most older Australians want to be in charge of their life decisions, even if they’re dealing with health and mobility challenges. This is where aged care in Australia can help them make life a little easier, safer, and more comfortable.
What is aged care, and why do eligible Australians need it? What is the status of aged care in Australia and its problems?
This article will answer these questions to help you get a clearer idea of the significance of aged care in our nation. Furthermore, it will help you understand why the federal government should focus on its improvements, accessibility, and high wages and staffing levels. Read on to learn more.
What is aged care, and why do eligible Australians need it? What is the status of aged care in Australia and its problems?
This article will answer these questions to help you get a clearer idea of the significance of aged care in our nation. Furthermore, it will help you understand why the federal government should focus on its improvements, accessibility, and high wages and staffing levels. Read on to learn more.
What Is Aged Care?
Aged care in Australia offers a wide range of care and support options to meet the diverse needs and preferences of care recipients. The living and nursing services in aged care include residential aged care in aged care facilities and in-home care services. Aged care solutions can consist of help with housework, home modifications, personal care, accommodation, and more.
Under the Department of Health, the Commonwealth Government oversees Australia's aged care system. The government provides funding to support aged care services, regulates the costs and accreditation of aged care homes, and administers the legislation for aged care.
Under the Department of Health, the Commonwealth Government oversees Australia's aged care system. The government provides funding to support aged care services, regulates the costs and accreditation of aged care homes, and administers the legislation for aged care.
What Are the Rights of Older Australians When Accessing Aged Care Services?
Aged care clients have the right to high-quality care and respect, comprehensive information about their care and services, and privacy, all without abuse or neglect.
The major question is: Are these rights recognised and respected, or are there lapses in the government that affect both aged care recipients and workers? Continue reading to know more.
The major question is: Are these rights recognised and respected, or are there lapses in the government that affect both aged care recipients and workers? Continue reading to know more.
Top Issues Australia’s Aged Care Sector Is Facing
Over the last few years, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Safety and Quality has released reports addressing the major concerns in aged care in Australia and laying out recommendations to reform the system.
Besides the need for funding and technology utilisation to improve the industry, here are the major issues surrounding Australia’s aged care sector:
Besides the need for funding and technology utilisation to improve the industry, here are the major issues surrounding Australia’s aged care sector:
Workforce conditions (overworked providers and understaffed facilities)
CEDA’s October 2022 Duty of Care report forecasted that there are around 65,000 workers to leave the sector each year, with 20% of workers leaving in the next 12 months and 38% in the next 1-5 years. They further noted the need for 8,000 additional workers to meet international practice standards and the basic standards of care recommended by the Royal Commission. A small number of migrants exacerbates the staffing shortage. These are also due to skilled workers leaving because of the extended service hours needed, low wages, and an increasing workload
Quality of care
Reports reveal that at least 1 in 3 aged care residents have been left with substandard care. This is a significant concern because residents have a right to dignity and respect and to be adequately supported for their daily needs.
Thousands of calls from residents, their families, and caregivers have been made to aged care advocates in recent years, according to the Older Persons Advocacy Network (Opan). Residents have been left with festering wounds, overcharged, abused for wanting to go to the toilet, and even prohibited from attending funerals due to the pandemic.
Thousands of calls from residents, their families, and caregivers have been made to aged care advocates in recent years, according to the Older Persons Advocacy Network (Opan). Residents have been left with festering wounds, overcharged, abused for wanting to go to the toilet, and even prohibited from attending funerals due to the pandemic.
What the Government Has Done So Far to Address the Aged Care Crisis in Australia
Surveys suggest that between 2002-2009, the public became much more concerned about the prolonged drought in Australia, along with summer bushfires and higher temperatures in several locations.
Australia's climate change and global warming issue became more concerning when it fell below other urgent matters, especially after the federal elections.
That said, the acceptance of climate change science remains imperative because those who are untrained in science and didn’t study the literature about climate change won’t fully understand the details. This will be crucial in influencing the concern and desire for political action against climate change, surveys within Australia and across the globe have identified.
Australia's climate change and global warming issue became more concerning when it fell below other urgent matters, especially after the federal elections.
That said, the acceptance of climate change science remains imperative because those who are untrained in science and didn’t study the literature about climate change won’t fully understand the details. This will be crucial in influencing the concern and desire for political action against climate change, surveys within Australia and across the globe have identified.
What Is the Federal Government Doing About Climate Change and Global Warming?
The Fair Work Commission (FWC), on November 4, 2022, ruled 15% pay raises for aged care workers as "plainly justified" in an attempt to address the issue of underpaid, inadequate, and overworked staff in the sector. The federal government has also announced an aged care workforce task force to address the glaring shortages in the industry.
Furthermore, the health department said the government has also implemented TAFE support and a transition to practice program to increase skills and training for the aged care workforce. This aims to attract and train 13,000 skilled aged care workers for in-home care.
Despite this action, the unions described the 15% pay rise as a "down payment." They believe that broader pay increases are needed to fix problems in the sector.
Furthermore, the health department said the government has also implemented TAFE support and a transition to practice program to increase skills and training for the aged care workforce. This aims to attract and train 13,000 skilled aged care workers for in-home care.
Despite this action, the unions described the 15% pay rise as a "down payment." They believe that broader pay increases are needed to fix problems in the sector.
What Should Be Done?
The goal of providing high-quality care and support to aged care residents, both in residential homes and in their own homes, will be fully realised with adequate funding, government action, and wage increases. Although imperfect governance is expected, effective systems, proper and comprehensive review methods, and strict regulations should still be in place. This will set a higher standard of support to be provided by the government.
That said, we need a more robust and attentive form of governance—leaders open to improving industry services.
That said, we need a more robust and attentive form of governance—leaders open to improving industry services.
Join the IPCA to Take Part in Improving Our Aged Care System!
The implications of our current leadership's flawed system stretch far beyond Australia's escalating aged care crisis. Global Warming Politics believes that the reformation we need to enhance the quality of care and services in aged care in Australia is by electing independents.
Interested in learning more about our cause supporting fund transparency, higher pay, better working conditions, and job security for our nation’s aged care system? Help us create a stronger community for all Australians by joining the Independent Political Candidates Association (IPCA).
Contact Global Warming Politics if you are with us or want to register as an independent candidate for the next election. Please fill out the contact form to get in touch with us.
Interested in learning more about our cause supporting fund transparency, higher pay, better working conditions, and job security for our nation’s aged care system? Help us create a stronger community for all Australians by joining the Independent Political Candidates Association (IPCA).
Contact Global Warming Politics if you are with us or want to register as an independent candidate for the next election. Please fill out the contact form to get in touch with us.